Zvolen, virtuálna jaskyňa2 Visitors admire the “virtual cave” in the Zvolen University science hall. (source: TASR)
A UNIQUE research hall built on the premises of the Technical University in Zvolen, containing experiment stations, a prototyping laboratory and the so-called virtual cave, was ceremonially opened on June 7.
The Vice-Rector for Development, Danica Kačíková, told the SITA newswire that the Hall of Science-Research Station is located in the reconstructed building of the Development Workshops and Laboratories. The establishment of the hall cost more than €3.871 million and was financed from euro funds, plus an additional €204,000 from the university’s own resources.
The virtual cave offers a three-dimensional simulation of a forest growth model. “Apart form the virtual cave, a workplace for 3D visualisation was established in which 3D data-projectors, scanners, displays and software equipment for the work with 3D images are placed,” Kačíková explained, adding that the installation of such technologies enables students, professors and scientists to see the results of their calculations and theoretical models. The hall’s integration of several 3D technologies in one place makes it unique in Slovakia. The virtual cave shall mainly help prospective forest-planners, while the station for 3D visualisation and the prototyping laboratory will be used to educate future engineers and designers, as well as experts of 3D data processing. Other universities and R&D sites will be allowed to use the hall’s equipment.
